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Fourth to Fifth-Century Synagogue

This ancient wall is from a fourth to fifth-century C.E. synagogue in the fishing village of Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. According to the Christian gospels, Capernaum was the home of the apostles Simon, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Jesus relocated to Capernaum in order to launch his ministry there. The upper white blocks of the synagogue are beautifully carved, in stark contrast to the smaller stones of black basalt in the lower section. Some have suggested that the darker foundation may have come from a first-century C.E. synagogue; however, this interpretation has been disputed. The somewhat sensational plaque reads “The late fourth century A.D. ‘White Synagogue’ built upon the remains of the ‘Synagogue of Jesus.’”

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